More to it than a name, my friend
I have to say that I'm not really satisfied with all the "OMG ______ IS TOTALLY ______'S OTHER!!", though a lot of them are probably in good cracky fun. I got to thinking and compiled a short list of the criteria which I thought should be be utilized when contemplating the possibility of _____ being _____'s Somebody.
I. Similarities in hairstyle. Hair color does not necessarily factor in, as the general consensus for Axel's hair is a brighter red dye job. In this case I look for less variable traits, like hairlines and the presence of sideburns.
Example 1a: Axel.
Example 1b: Zack Fair.
Note the broad widow's peak, mane of spikes, and sideburns.
Example 2a: Larxene.
Example 2b: Quistis Trepe.
Example 2c: Selphie Tilmitt (FF8).
In all three there is symmetry, apparent shortness of the hair (Larxene's hair is slicked back and thus looks short when it's actually nearly shoulder-length, Quistis' hair is tied up, and Selphie's is flipped), and slight outlandishness.
Example 3a: Demyx.
Example 3b: Seifer Almasy (FF8).
Short, reasonably similar hair color, probably the same amount of gel applied (one is simply going up, while the other goes back).
II. Similarities in facial structure. Skin color does not necessarily come into play here, either, as people get more/less tan for various reasons.
Example 1a: Axel.
Example 1b: Zack Fair.
Long, angular jaws, with pointy chins. Narrow eyes. Thin, straight eyebrows.
Example 2a: Demyx.
Example 2b: Seifer Almasy (FF8).
Strong, somewhat blunted chins, with broad foreheads. Demyx's features appear to be a bit finer than Seifer's, but that may be due to his expression. (He's got the same Billy Idol sneer as Seifer in this render. It doesn't help that he looks like he's flipping the bird, either XDDD.) Highly arched eyebrows.
Example 3a: Larxene.
Example 3b: Selphie Tilmitt (FF8).
Cute, round faces with quirky eyebrows and big eyes.
III. Eye color. Most likely the same.
Example 1a: Axel.
Example 1b: Zack Fair.
Turquoise.
Example 2a: Larxene.
Example 2b: Selphie Tilmitt (FF8 Version).
Green (in the official artwork, that is).
IV. Personality. They do not have to be exactly the same, but certain key points have to be taken in--easygoing, angry, bloodthirsty, etc.
Example 1a: Larxene
Example 2b: Selphie Tilmitt (FF8).
Larxene is a sadistic serial killer who plays up her high, feminine voice and cute girlish features to mask said sadism. Selphie is at first glance a regular, cute, silly, occasionally hyper person, but also employs a rather morbid sense of humor. She enjoys blowing things up (well, Rikku and Yuffie probably do, too...), and at one point in FFVIII thinks or says something about skinning Moombas for... some reason I forgot, but probably just to be funny.
Example 2a: Axel.
Example 2b: Zack Fair.
Both of them are easy-going, yet incredibly deadly in the art of war. Also, they are both friends with short, amnesiac, spiky-haired blondes.
Example 3a: Demyx
Example 3b: Seifer Almasy (FF8).
Demyx constantly denies his lack of a heart and may use a bumbling front as a mask to seem non-threatening, like Larxene. However, he kicks ass when it all boils down. Seifer is the inverted version of this: As the foil to Squall in FF8, he possesses the same level of skill with the Gunblade but often makes bad decisions as a result of being passionate and headstrong.
-
The biggest problem for Selphie and Seifer is that they already exist in Kingdom Hearts, so it looks like they're out of the running for Larxene and Demyx's Somebodies.
Looks like Axel and Zack win! Congratulations, Axel and Zack! And as for the names which don't match up, I give you:
Xemnas: Young, inexperienced Nobody, welcome to my fold. I am here to initiate you into Organization XIII and the glorious task of ripping people's hearts out to sate the hunger of Kingdom Hearts by bequeathing you a new name. *magic letters appear*
Kaxzc
Caxkz
Xackz
Azxck--
Zack: Okay, screw this shit--none of those names are pronounceable! You want an X in my new shiny name? Fine! I'm Axel!
Xemnas: ...Well, the point of this is to embrace your new status as a Nobody--
Zack: X! New! Shiny! It's not like people are gonna try and anagram my name into some crap like Ale when I'm ripping their hearts out like you said I'd be doing!
Xemnas: That is a good point. Welcome to the Organization, Axel.
The above conversation between Axel and Xemnas at initiation is not to be taken seriously.
At all.
But hey, AxelAerith is supported with this theory!
I. Similarities in hairstyle. Hair color does not necessarily factor in, as the general consensus for Axel's hair is a brighter red dye job. In this case I look for less variable traits, like hairlines and the presence of sideburns.
Example 1a: Axel.
Example 1b: Zack Fair.
Note the broad widow's peak, mane of spikes, and sideburns.
Example 2a: Larxene.
Example 2b: Quistis Trepe.
Example 2c: Selphie Tilmitt (FF8).
In all three there is symmetry, apparent shortness of the hair (Larxene's hair is slicked back and thus looks short when it's actually nearly shoulder-length, Quistis' hair is tied up, and Selphie's is flipped), and slight outlandishness.
Example 3a: Demyx.
Example 3b: Seifer Almasy (FF8).
Short, reasonably similar hair color, probably the same amount of gel applied (one is simply going up, while the other goes back).
II. Similarities in facial structure. Skin color does not necessarily come into play here, either, as people get more/less tan for various reasons.
Example 1a: Axel.
Example 1b: Zack Fair.
Long, angular jaws, with pointy chins. Narrow eyes. Thin, straight eyebrows.
Example 2a: Demyx.
Example 2b: Seifer Almasy (FF8).
Strong, somewhat blunted chins, with broad foreheads. Demyx's features appear to be a bit finer than Seifer's, but that may be due to his expression. (He's got the same Billy Idol sneer as Seifer in this render. It doesn't help that he looks like he's flipping the bird, either XDDD.) Highly arched eyebrows.
Example 3a: Larxene.
Example 3b: Selphie Tilmitt (FF8).
Cute, round faces with quirky eyebrows and big eyes.
III. Eye color. Most likely the same.
Example 1a: Axel.
Example 1b: Zack Fair.
Turquoise.
Example 2a: Larxene.
Example 2b: Selphie Tilmitt (FF8 Version).
Green (in the official artwork, that is).
IV. Personality. They do not have to be exactly the same, but certain key points have to be taken in--easygoing, angry, bloodthirsty, etc.
Example 1a: Larxene
Example 2b: Selphie Tilmitt (FF8).
Larxene is a sadistic serial killer who plays up her high, feminine voice and cute girlish features to mask said sadism. Selphie is at first glance a regular, cute, silly, occasionally hyper person, but also employs a rather morbid sense of humor. She enjoys blowing things up (well, Rikku and Yuffie probably do, too...), and at one point in FFVIII thinks or says something about skinning Moombas for... some reason I forgot, but probably just to be funny.
Example 2a: Axel.
Example 2b: Zack Fair.
Both of them are easy-going, yet incredibly deadly in the art of war. Also, they are both friends with short, amnesiac, spiky-haired blondes.
Example 3a: Demyx
Example 3b: Seifer Almasy (FF8).
Demyx constantly denies his lack of a heart and may use a bumbling front as a mask to seem non-threatening, like Larxene. However, he kicks ass when it all boils down. Seifer is the inverted version of this: As the foil to Squall in FF8, he possesses the same level of skill with the Gunblade but often makes bad decisions as a result of being passionate and headstrong.
-
The biggest problem for Selphie and Seifer is that they already exist in Kingdom Hearts, so it looks like they're out of the running for Larxene and Demyx's Somebodies.
Looks like Axel and Zack win! Congratulations, Axel and Zack! And as for the names which don't match up, I give you:
Xemnas: Young, inexperienced Nobody, welcome to my fold. I am here to initiate you into Organization XIII and the glorious task of ripping people's hearts out to sate the hunger of Kingdom Hearts by bequeathing you a new name. *magic letters appear*
Kaxzc
Caxkz
Xackz
Azxck--
Zack: Okay, screw this shit--none of those names are pronounceable! You want an X in my new shiny name? Fine! I'm Axel!
Xemnas: ...Well, the point of this is to embrace your new status as a Nobody--
Zack: X! New! Shiny! It's not like people are gonna try and anagram my name into some crap like Ale when I'm ripping their hearts out like you said I'd be doing!
Xemnas: That is a good point. Welcome to the Organization, Axel.
The above conversation between Axel and Xemnas at initiation is not to be taken seriously.
At all.
But hey, AxelAerith is supported with this theory!